Top 10 Fishing Lakes in Essex

Are you looking for the top fishing lakes in Essex? Well, aren’t you in the right spot, because we have shortlisted the best right here. So, assemble everything up because after reading about these spots you might want to plan a trip as soon as possible.  

A12 Lakes

The first one of our fishing lakes in the Essex list is A12. It should come as no surprise that these breathtaking lakes are located right next to the A12 motorway. Obviously, you will have to drive off the A12 to reach the lakes. The location is quite near the Sandford Mill Museum, so you can plan to pay a visit there as well. You can also stop by the blackwater boats and get a boat ride along the river. All in all, you can pack your trip with some fantastic stops.

A12 fishing lake

On the site itself, there is a dedicated parking lot, stock of all essentials (drinks, sensitizer, batteries), bait and fishing tackle are available for purchase.

This amazing spot has three lakes that you can fish in: Match Lake, Specimen One Lake, and Specimen Two Lake. These lakes are stocked with Carps (common and mirror), roach, tench, perch, and skimmer bream. 

As, these amazing lakes have been used repetitively by passionate anglers so we recommend that you refer to some new techniques to catch fish here. The lake covers from 2 ½ to 4 acres and can accommodate anglers more than 40 so you and your friends or family will have ample space to fish.

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Tench and CarpsCarps up to 40 poundsNO20£3None
A12 lake carps

Obviously when visiting the fishery you will have to follow all the rules and regulations. Some major ones are that anglers are to report to the cabin on arriving, barbed hooks aren’t allowed and no fire or barbecue is allowed on the spot.

To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.


Oak Lakes Fisheries

Next up we have a fishery that is located on Burnham road and has various fish species for you to catch. This place has the most lively lakes in all of the fishing lakes in Essex so make sure to check it out. Plus it has many prominent and recurring varieties of fish including Rudd, Perch, Bream, Catfish, Pike, Gudgeon, Roach and Tench.               

Oak lake fishery

Even though these lakes are located away from the busy roads, services for food takeaways and convenience stores operate near the fishery. In the lake itself, there is a spot for parking, toilets, excellent swims and a swim allocated for the disabled. 

With these amazing services, you will be all set to fish. In terms of fishing, this particular fishery has 4 lakes one of which is reserved only for the members. The other three lakes are Oak Lake, Predator Lake and Match Lake. 

On buying a day ticket you can enjoy fishing from dusk till dawn at the Oak’s lake 26 swims, Predators 5 swims, or Match Lakes 20 spacious swims. As an angler, if you’re more into Carp fishing then opt for Oak lake, where you can catch Carp over 30lbs. On the other hand, Predator Lake has several varieties of predatory fish, which is quite obvious from its name. 

Carps from Oak lakes
Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Catfish and PikeCarps up to 30 poundsNO20-30£4None. Campsite only

Make sure to follow all the rules which obviously are quite simple; only 3 rods are allowed, barbeques are allowed but open fires aren’t and dogs aren’t allowed.

To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.


Crow Green Fishery

This fishery is located on Days Lane, which has a great golf club just 10 mins away from the fishery. So when you are done fishing you can pay a visit to the Bentley club or vise versa. 

Crow Green Fishery Carp

This fishery has been stocked with quite a few fish species, some of which are: Carps, Catfish, Koi Carp, Grass Carp, Rudd, Roach, Perch and Bream. Check the table below for further insight:

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Catfish and CarpsCarps up to 40 poundsNO20£ for 3 rods3None

If you are an accomplished angler then we suggest that you opt for Main Lake which has over 350 carps weighing more than 40 pounds and catfish weighing over 100 pounds. Other lakes in the fishery are Car Park Lake and Lilly Lake, the latter being the oldest of the three lakes.

Finally, let us move on to the rules and regulations. Anglers are required to soak their equipment in a dip tank before they can use it. Things not allowed include: barbed hooks, boiled nuts, live bait, float fishing, dogs and fires. Have in mind that similar rules apply to most of the best quality lakes in Essex.

Crow Green Fishery

In case of things that must be used and you need to consider beforehand are that you need to use at least a 25lb line, a huge slide mat, cat landing net and a cat weight sling. To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.


Blasford Hill Fisheries

Blasford Hill Fishery is located between Little Waltham and Broomfield in Chelmer Valley so you will be able to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere as you fish. Other interesting places around the fishery include Highlands Park, Tiptree jam factory and Chelmsford City Racecourse.

Blasford Hill Fishery in Essex

This fishery has two lakes and 600 yards of Chelmer river. In terms of benefits; parking is available and portable toilets have been situated around the site. On purchasing a ticket, you can get to explore the private stretch of Chelmer River. This spot is ideal to take your family and dogs for a walk around the scenic countryside. When speaking about fishing lakes in Essex, that is not very common.

This fishery has been stocked with quite a few fish species, some of which are Tench, Carp, Crucians, Pike. Rudd, Bream, Roach and Perch.

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Tench, Perch and CarpsCarps up to 35 poundsNO12£ for 2 rods2 LakesNone
Blasford Fishery Carp

There are two main lakes in the fishery; Main and Match Lake. The Main Lake has islands, trees, Lily pads and reedy bays which further add to the picturesque view. The fishery has a long list of rules that one has to follow while visiting. For example; anglers are required to have a rod license, live bait is prohibited as is the usage of more than 2 rods.

To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE. To view the site, watch the video below:


Churchgate Lakes

Churchgate Lakes are located on Battlesbridge, Wickford and its location makes it the ideal spot for one to fish in peace. he fish species at the lakes include huge stock of Carp, Rudd, Perch, Tench, Roach, Crucians, Ide, Bream and Skimmers. Plus, there are four lakes that you can fish from; Top Lake, Middle Lake, Bottom Lake and Black Lake.  

Churchgate Lakes Battlesbridge Essex

The Top Lake covers 3-acre and provides an amazing view of the Essex countryside, so if you are looking for a spot to relax then this lake is the best option for you. Out of all four lakes, Black is the smallest and is also referred to as “Dad and Lads Lake”. 

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Bream, Tench and CarpsCarps up to 30 poundsYes15£ for two rods4 artificial pondsNone

Regarding the lakes, Derek Briden has remarked on google that is well kept and excellent for fishing. Other feedback on google and the lake’s official site are also positive.  To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.
To view the site, watch the video below:


Fennes Fisheries

Next up we have Fennes Fisheries which as the name suggests is located on Fennes road. It covers over 15.5 aces and has swims over 100. Out of all the fishing places, this one takes pride in offering family-friendly lakeside fishing along with a tackle shop and catering van which are present on site.

Fennes Fisheries

The fish species present in all three lakes are a mixture of: Rudd, Bream, Carp (mirror and common), F1s, Preach, Roach and Tench. Lakes present in this fishery are: Ash Ground Lake, Hobbs Croft Lake and Hill & Black Lake.

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Perch, Rudd and CarpsCarps up to 32 poundsYes10£ for 2 rods3None

Ash ground lake comprises more than 1000 yards of the bank which is well- tendered. Plus there are many gorgeous islands around the lake and you can fish in peace as you enjoy the view. For fresh anglers we recommend the Hobbs Croft Lake as the fish stamp present in this lake is comparatively smaller.

Carps from Fennes lake

As far as rules are concerned, they are just like all the other fishing lakes and as an angler, you might be aware of them but one thing you should be aware of is that night fishing is only allowed 4 dedicated times of the year. In order words, this lake offers only day ticket fishing.

To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.


Brick Farm Lake

Out of all the best lakes in Essex mentioned above, Brick Farm Lakes is considered as one of the finest for trout fishing in Essex. It is located at Herstmonceux, East Sussex in the open countryside. So, you will be able to enjoy the natural outstanding beauty of the location.

Brick Farm Lake

You don’t require pre-booking to indulge in the lakeside fishery at this location. There is a lodge located next to one of the fishing lakes, this lodge serves shelter, toilet service and drinks.  

The lakes are regularly stocked with blue, brown and rainbow trout. The names of the lakes on this fishery are: Well Lake, Stage Lake, Spring Lake and Brick Lake.

Trouts from Brick farm lakes
Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
TroutsTrouts up to 20 poundsYes28£ for two fish4None. Lodge only

Major rules include: ensuring your tackle and boats have been thoroughly clean and dried to prevent spreading diseases, it is suggested that anglers wear protective gear and your vehicle and bags will be thoroughly checked.

To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.


Clavering Lakes

These fishing lakes in Essex are situated in an unspoiled countryside near Clavering. The scenery around the lakes provides a tremendous calm and relaxing environment. This fishery also has a gorgeous lodge that they use to host guests, parties, and events.  

All three lakes at the fishery are stocked with Carp (common and mirror), Roach, Perch, Rudd, Tench, Bream and Crucian. The Silver Fish Lake has a total of 16 swims and the biggest fish found in this lake is the Bream as they can size up to 6 pounds.

Clavering Lakes

 Next up we have Match Lake which covers over 2 acres, is pegged evenly and has 17 swims. Finally there is Specimen Carp Lake which has 40 swims and provides the perfect calm surroundings for fishing carp in peace.

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Bream and CarpsCarps up to 40 poundsYesSpecimen lake:12£ for one rod and
Silver Fish Lake: 12£ for two rod
3None. Lodge only

Lastly, you should know that music, bonfires, and bait boats aren’t allowed. Plus, you need to book for night fishing ahead. To check out more rules for each of the lakes or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.


Colemans Cottage Fishery

This fishery is purpose-built and is located near Witham on River Blackwater’s bank. You can get the tickets for day fishing right at the spot but for matches and events, you will have to book ahead. Other facilities include a tackle shop, toilets, and caravan pitches.

Colemans Cottage Fishery

The stocks of fish available in the lake are Rudd, Bream, Crucian Carp, Roach, Tench, Gudgeon, Pike, Carp and F1s. It has one of the biggest variety of species in all fishing lakes in Essex. The lakes are Copse Lake, Pathfield Lake, Wood Lake and Cottage Lake & River Blackwater, and Stepfield Lake.

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Tench, Roach, Bream and CarpsCarps up to 22 poundsYes40£ for two rod4None.
Collemans Carps

There are islands present on each lake which further add to the beauty of the lakes. Copse Lake has 2 islands, Pathfield Lake has a long island in the center and various small islands and Wood Lake has numerous islands in the center.

The rules of the lakes prohibit dogs, night fishing, litter and fires. To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.


Wharf Pool Pads Lake

Another amazing spot with two great lakes is this one. It’s Pads Lakeis a member-only lake but Wharf Pool inst and it has 18 great swims. The fishes that you will encounter in this pool are: Carps, Mark Simmonds fish, Sutton strain and Leney strain. 

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
CarpsCarps up to 37 poundsNO15 £2None

Warf lake has complied quite a list of rules in pdf form, click the to check them out: http://www.wharfpool.co.uk/wharf-rules.html

To book a spot you can CLICK HERE or watch a vlog regarding this fishing lake in Essex right here:


North Benfleet Hall Fishery

Lastly, we have this spot which only has one lake. It is located just 10 minutes away from Chelmsford. This lake covers 5 acres and is perfect for match anglers, specimen anglers and families too.

North Benfleet Hall Fishery in Essex

The North Benfleet Hall Fishery is open all round the year and provides tickets for both night and day fishing.

Most Common fishes:Biggest catch weight:Family friendly:Fishing ticket for one day:Amount of lakes:Accommodation
Trouts and CarpsCarps up to 30 poundsYes10£ for three rods1None

Anglers are requested to follow a precise set of rules, some of which are: no bait boats, no removal of fish, no use of tiger nets and etc.

To check out more rules or to book a spot you can CLICK HERE.

Find your best fishing lake in Essex!

We hope that the list above was helpful in providing you information regarding fishing lakes in Essex and to getting to know about what is being offered at the lakes shortlisted. If you are looking for fisheries not only in Essex please visit our article about all other best lakes in the UK.

To satisfy your fishing need by planning a trip to one of these amazing spots and making unforgettable memories.